Two Juveniles Arrested For Series Of Shootings In Virginia Beach Area, Including Two Homicides

Two juveniles have been arrested for a series of shootings that took place in the Virginia Beach area, including two homicides, 13 News Now reports.

After several anonymous tips have been received through Virginia Beach Crime Solvers, two 17-year-old’s have been arrested. The police followed up on a suspect with a search warrant, and after evidence was found at the suspect’s home, an arrest was immediately made.

After further investigation, the identification of a second suspect was made, leading to a second search warrant and arrest. The juveniles are currently being held without bond at the Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center.

https://twitter.com/DarrenKavinoky/status/807785825723301889

The suspects names have not yet been revealed, and the list of charges have not been made public as of yet.

Here is a list of the shootings that both suspects are linked to.

• Shooting on Skylard Drive on November 29, 2016
• Shooting on Old Clubhouse Road on November 20, 2016
• Homicide on Hawk Avenue on December 2, 2016
• Shooting on Dory Drive on December 2, 2016
• Homicide on Campion Court on December 4, 2016
• Shooting on Dunnbury Court on December 7, 2016
• Shooting on Old Clubhouse Road on December 7, 2016

It was previously reported by WTKR that police were investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Campion Drive early in the morning on December 4.

When police arrived at the scene, they found a woman, Christine Bender, 60, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but later died from her injuries.

Prior to that on December 2, a homicide investigation was underway for a shooting that occurred on Hawk Avenue that left one man dead.

The shooting occurred at Tapo mobile home park in Virginia Beach. The police responded to the call and found a man dead at the scene. Zacarias Aguilar-Ayala, 34, was later identified as the victim, Wavy revealed.

Doris Jayo, a neighbor, expressed worry, as this was the first of two shootings in the area within a matter of a half-hour. Not even an hour after the homicide on Hawk Avenue, a second shooting was reported just a mile away on Dory Drive at the Waterfront Apartments.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m worried.”

According to a neighbor, Zacarias was working on home repairs when he was suddenly shot dead. It was revealed that the family recently moved there from Puerto Rico, and the victim was noticed several times fixing the roof of the house, 13 News Now reports.

At the time, it was unknown whether the two shootings were connected, but the investigation has now connected the two 17-year-old’s to all of the area shootings within the past couple of weeks.

Elizabeth Stevens, the daughter of Christine Bender, made a statement to the press regarding the homicides.

“First, I want to give my condolences to the family of Zacarias Aguilar-Ayala. I hope they find some closure as senseless as their loss was. Now, I would like to thank the Virginia Beach Police, everyone who worked on individual cases and whoever made the connection. And lastly, a thank you to everyone who cared, who misses my Mother or Zacarias.”

According to 13 News Now, the man who was shot on Dory Drive shortly after Zacarias, was critically injured. No report has been revealed on the current status of the victim.

On the same night as the Dory Drive and Hawk Avenue shootings, a woman was arrested for stabbing a man in the torso. Anna Nicole Hankinson, 46, was charged with malicious wounding. Hankinson was taken to Virginia Beach Correctional Center with no bond.

It was further revealed by Pilot Online that the victim and the suspect knew each other. The victim was taken to the hospital, and it has been reported that he is in stable condition.

Hopefully the Virginia Beach area will be more peaceful now that we have two very dangerous criminals off the streets. Updates will be provided as they become available.

[Featured Image by Shutterstock]